Apparatus, system and method for a web-based interactive video platform

ABSTRACT

An apparatus, a system, a method and a computer program product are provided. The system includes a controller configured to broadcast a web-based meeting between a first user and a second user. The system further includes a graphical user interface configured to display the broadcasted web-based meeting. The controller is configured to receive a request from the first user through the graphical user interface. The request includes one of a text question, a recorded video question and a request from the first user to present a live video question to the second user. The controller is further configured to broadcast the request through the graphical user interface as a real time video feed of the first user, so that the first user can ask the question in real time and the second user can respond to the first user&#39;s question in real time.

CROSS REFERENCE

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/789,190, filed Oct. 20, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/879,487, filed Oct. 9, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No.9,800,836, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/858,091, filed Aug. 17, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,165,073, whichclaims the priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/234,626, filed on Aug. 17, 2009. The entiretyof each of the above-identified applications is hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

Embodiments of the invention generally relate to a web-based interactivevideo platform. More particularly, certain embodiments of the inventionrelate to an apparatus, a system, a method and a computer programproduct for providing a web-based interactive video platform that allowsmultiple audience members to interact/dialogue in real time via videoand/or text chat.

2. Description of the Related Art

Town hall meetings have been created as an informal public meeting,where members of a community are invited to voice their opinions andhear the responses from public figures and elected officials. Town hallmeetings are an effective way for these individuals to meet face-to-facewith members of the community. However, town hall meetings are limitedby, for example, the size of the venue (i.e., the number of people thatcan be held in the venue), and the ability of community members tophysically attend the meeting.

With the advent of social media, interactive video platforms, such asYouTube™, Facebook™, Twitter™, MySpace™ and various webcasting tools,have been created to provide public figures, public officials and eventhe general public with the ability to disseminate and exchangeinformation, not only with a local community, but also with individualslocated around the world.

Unlike conventional town hall meetings though, these interactive videoplatforms only provide these individuals with a one-way, liveinteraction/dialogue with audience members. For example, a host orbroadcaster is able to stream a live broadcast of information to his orher audience; however, audience members are only able to informally“interact” with the host or broadcaster via a text message or comment, atext chat, or a telephone call, that may be recorded and answered by thehost or broadcaster at a later period in time. Teleconferencing has beenpaired with these interactive video platforms; however, many individualsdo not have access to teleconferencing tools, and therefore are unableto fully benefit from a direct, live interaction with the host orbroadcaster.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is provided asystem, which includes a controller that is configured to broadcast aweb-based meeting between a first user and a second user, and agraphical user interface configured to display the broadcast web-basedmeeting. The controller is configured to receive a request from thefirst user through the graphical user interface. The request includesone of a text question, a recorded video question and a request from thefirst user to present a live video question to the second user. Thecontroller is further configured to broadcast the request through thegraphical user interface. When the received request includes the requestfrom the first user to present the live video question, the controlleris configured to broadcast the request as a real time video feed of thefirst user, so that the first user can ask the question in real time andthe second user can respond to the first user's question in real time.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, there isprovided an apparatus, which includes at least one memory includingcomputer program code, and at least one processor. The at least onememory and the computer program code are configured to, with the atleast one processor, cause the apparatus at least to.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, there isprovided a method, which includes broadcasting a web-based meetingbetween a first user and a second user through a graphical userinterface, and receiving a request from the first user through thegraphical user interface. The request includes one of a text question, arecorded video question and a request from the first user to present alive video question to the second user. The method further includesbroadcasting the request through the graphical user interface. When thereceived request includes the request from the first user to present thelive video question, the step of broadcasting the request includesbroadcasting the request as a real time video feed of the first user, sothat the first user can ask the question in real time and the seconduser can respond to the first user's question in real time.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, there isprovided a computer program product embodied on a non-transitorycomputer readable medium. The computer program product is encoded withinstructions to control a processor to perform a process. The processincludes broadcasting a web-based meeting between a first user and asecond user through a graphical user interface, and receiving a requestfrom the first user through the graphical user interface. The requestincludes one of a text question, a recorded video question and a requestfrom the first user to present a live video question to the second user.The process further includes broadcasting the request through thegraphical user interface. When the received request includes the requestfrom the first user to present the live video question, the step ofbroadcasting the request includes broadcasting the request as a realtime video feed of the first user, so that the first user can ask thequestion in real time and the second user can respond to the firstuser's question in real time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further aspects, details, advantages and modifications of the inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description of theembodiments, which is to be taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a system, in accordance withan embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of an apparatus, in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a home page view of a graphical user interface of thesystem shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 4 shows a profile page view for a user of the graphical userinterface, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows an event planner page view of a graphical user interface,in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 shows an event page view of a graphical user interface, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 7A-7G show various sections of the event page view, in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 shows a flow diagram of a method, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be readily understood that the components of the invention, asgenerally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may bearranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations.Thus, the following detailed description of the embodiments of theapparatus, the system, the method and the computer program product, asrepresented in the attached figures, is not intended to limit the scopeof the invention as claimed, but is merely representative of selectedembodiments of the invention.

If desired, the different functions discussed below may be performed ina different order and/or concurrently with each other. Furthermore, ifdesired, one or more of the above-described functions may be optional ormay be combined. As such, the foregoing description should be consideredas merely illustrative of the principles, teachings and embodiments ofthis invention, and not in limitation thereof.

Embodiments of the invention combine hardware and software components tocreate a system, an apparatus, a method and a computer program productfor providing a web-based interactive video platform that allowsmultiple audience members to interact/dialogue in real time via video ortext chat. The web-based interactive video platform provides audiencemembers with the ability to engage in a direct, live dialogue with thehost or broadcaster (hereinafter referred to as a “host”), in aweb-based, town hall-type meeting format. The web-based interactivevideo platform may also be attended by multiple users who are not indirect dialogue or interaction with the host or broadcaster. They aresimply “spectators” to the platform.

In accordance with certain embodiments of the invention, the host canstream a live broadcast of information (e.g., videos, pictures, text,etc.) to a virtual auditorium of viewers, and can receive, in additionto recorded text and video question, live video calls from the audienceto interactively respond to the opinions and questions of audiencemembers.

In accordance with certain embodiments of the invention, a user of theplatform is able to create an event, for example a “free” event, thatintegrates advertising within the broadcast, and to create another eventfor a fee, for example an “enterprise” event, that allows the user tocustomize and brand his or her event with, for example, a personallogo(s), a personal sponsor(s), pre-roll videos and direct marketingtools.

In accordance with certain embodiments of the invention, a user of theplatform is able to charge admission to a ticketed event by requiringviewers to purchase and redeem virtual credits.

In accordance with certain embodiments of the invention, a user mayinclude a host, a producer, an attendee, an editor, a co-host or ascreener of the event. The host of the event can create and cancel anevent, and can perform all other functions, using a graphical userinterface, that the other user-types are able to perform, except beingable to ask a text or video question, or screen questions. The host canstart, pause and terminate the event. The host can also assign initialroles to other users of the platform during the event, while also takingon the role of the producer of the event.

The producer of the event can perform all of the functions discussedabove for the host, using the graphical user interface, except that theproducer's video stream is hidden from the event, so that the producercan run the event from “behind-the-scenes.”

The attendee of the event is the user in the audience that joins theevent, for example, by RSVPing to a scheduled event and/or joining anevent when it is started. Using the graphical user interface, theattendee can watch the video broadcast (i.e., a “spectator”), canparticipate in the event via text chat, can submit live video/textquestions to be reviewed by the host/producer, a co-host, and/or ascreener, and answered by the host or co-host, and can accesscustomizable modules or applications, for example, Twitter™, Facebook™,mapping tools, charting tools, presentation tools, etc. As will bediscussed in more detail below, only a host or co-host can broadcast thelive video/text questions from attendees.

The editor of the event can perform all of the functions discussed abovefor the attendee, using the graphical user interface. Additionally, theeditor can perform “one-click editing” to switch between users that areactivated as “live speakers” in real-time. For example, the editor canclick on a thumbnail of a single user to immediately cut to that user,or the editor can select a “multi-shot” button to setup 2-shots,3-shots, 4-shots, etc., to immediately cut to two selected users, threeselected users, four selected users, etc. The editor can also assign auser to all user-types, except the role of host or producer.

The co-host of the event can broadcast his or her video live to theentire audience, can respond to the audience's text and video questions,and can perform all of the functions discussed above for the editor,using the graphical user interface. The co-host can also assign a userto all user-types, except the role of host or producer.

The screener of the event is a unique user-type that can screen thequeue of attendee text/video questions, and can interact via a videodialogue with an attendee who asked a question, for example,“behind-the-scenes.” The screener can approve, remove or kick theattendee from the event, in addition to providing annotations about theattendee and his or her question for the host, co-host, or producer toreview. Hence, the screener “pre-screens” questions for the host and/orthe co-host, so that they can broadcast and respond only to approved(i.e., relevant) questions. The screener can also assign a user to alluser-types, except the role of host or producer

FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a system, in accordance withan embodiment of the invention. The system 100 includes a controller 110and a graphical user interface 120. The controller 110 broadcasts aweb-based meeting between a first user and a second user. The graphicaluser interface 120 displays the broadcasted web-based meeting. Thecontroller 110 receives a request from the first user through thegraphical user interface 120. The request can include one of a textquestion, a recorded video question and a request from the first user topresent a live video question to the second user. The controller 110broadcasts the request through the graphical user interface 120. Whenthe received request includes the request from the first user to presentthe live video question, the controller 110 broadcasts the request as areal time video feed of the first user, so that the first user can askthe question in real time and the second user can respond to the firstuser's question in real time.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the graphical userinterface 120 can include a web-based application that can be embeddedon a third-party site or blog using embedded code (i.e., an embeddedplayer). The web-based application can be accessed without leaving thepage that it is embedded on.

The controller 110 broadcasts, through the graphical user interface 120,an individual video feed of the first user, the second user and anyother user that joins the web-based meeting, or multiple video feeds ofany combination of users in real time. The controller 110 broadcasts,through the graphical user interface 120, a list of requests from thefirst user or any other user. The list can be sorted.

The first user can include an attendee of the web-based meeting. Thesecond user and the other users can include one of a host, a producer, aco-host, a screener, an editor and an attendee of the web-based meeting.

When the received request includes one of the recorded video question orthe live video question from the first user, the controller 110generates an off-line meeting between the first user and one of theother users, so that the other user can screen the first user and thevideo question before the controller 110 broadcasts the receivedrequest. The controller 110 broadcasts the received request, when theother user approves the first user and the video question.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of an apparatus, in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus 200 includes a memory210 including computer program code 220. The computer program code 220is embodied on a computer readable non-transitory medium. The apparatus200 includes a processor 230 for processing information and executinginstructions or operations. The memory 210 is coupled to the processor230 for storing information and instructions to be executed by theprocessor 230. The computer program code 220 is encoded withinstructions to control the processor 230 to perform the methoddiscussed below and illustrated in FIG. 8.

While a single memory 210 and a single processor 230 are illustrated inFIG. 2, multiple memory and multiple processors may be utilizedaccording to other embodiments.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the processor 230broadcasts a web-based meeting between a first user and a second userthrough a graphical user interface. The processor 230 receives a requestfrom the first user through the graphical user interface, and stores therequest in the memory 210. As discussed for system 100, the request caninclude one of a text question, a recorded video question and a requestfrom the first user to present a live video question to the second user.The processor 230 retrieves the request from the memory 210, whenrequested by the second user, and broadcasts the request through thegraphical user interface. When the received request includes the requestfrom the first user to present the live video question, the processor230 broadcasts the request as a real time video feed of the first user,so that the first user can ask the question in real time and the seconduser can respond to the first user's question in real time.

The processor 230 broadcasts, through the graphical user interface, anindividual video feed of the first user, the second user and any otheruser that joins the web-based meeting, or multiple video feeds of anycombination of users in real time. The processor 230 broadcasts, throughthe graphical user interface, a list of requests from the first user orany other user. The list can be sorted.

When the received request includes one of the recorded video question orthe live video question from the first user, the processor 230 generatesan off-line meeting between the first user and another user, so that theother user can screen the first user and the video question before theprocessor 230 broadcasts the received request to the second user. Theprocessor 230 broadcasts the received request, when the other userapproves the first user and the video question.

FIG. 3 shows a home page view of a graphical user interface of thesystem shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention. The graphical user interface 120 can provide live, viewingand broadcasting features for a town hall-type meeting for theuser-types discussed above. The home page view 300 of the graphical userinterface 120 can include a user access bar 310, a quick tour link 320,a search bar 330, a listing of live and upcoming events 340, a listingof recent activity on the platform 350, and a host request 360.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the user access bar310 provides the user with access to the system 100 discussed above andshown in FIG. 1. The user access bar 310 includes a registration linkand a log in link. The user can register for an account to access thesystem 100, or can log in to the system 100, using the graphical userinterface 120, by entering his “username” and “password” establishedduring the registration process or by entering the user's social media“username” and “password” (i.e., the “username” and “password” of theuser's Twitter™ or Facebook™ account). Upon entry into the system 100,the user can access all of the features for viewing and broadcasting atown hall-type meeting, including receiving and responding to live videoquestions from audience members.

The quick tour link 320 provides the user with a quick tour of thefeatures of the platform. The search bar 330 provides the user with asearch tool for searching for an event by a keyword, for example, anassociated tag. The listing of live and upcoming events 340 provides theuser with links to live and upcoming events that the user canimmediately attend (i.e., join an event) or schedule to attend (i.e.,RSVP to an event). If the user RSVPs to an event, the user will benotified via an electronic communication (i.e., email, SMS text, etc.)when the RSVP'd event is about to begin. The listing of recent activityon the platform 350 provides the user with a listing of, and associatedlinks to, real-time, user activity and past events. The host request 360provides the user with a request tool for requesting an individual tojoin the platform using social media (i.e., sending a request to theindividual via Twitter™ or Facebook™)

FIG. 4 shows a profile page view for a user of the graphical userinterface, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Once theuser logs in to the system 100, using the graphical user interface 120,the user can access a user profile page 400, as shown in FIG. 4. Theuser profile page 400 includes a user's personal information 410 (i.e.,name, geographical location, membership status and interests/tags), alisting of the user's scheduled lineup of events 420, and a news feedsection 430 that displays the activity of other users to which this userhas subscribed to their news feeds, the number of subscriptions thatthis user has to other users, the number of other users that havesubscribed to this individual's user profile, and a listing of upcomingevents that the other users plan to attend.

When a user accesses another user's profile page, the user profile pagecan include a link 440 to subscribe to the user's news feed fornotifying the subscriber of any events that the user has created orintends to attend.

FIG. 5 shows an event planner page view of a graphical user interface,in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In the event plannerpage view 500 of the graphical user interface 120, the user can createand schedule an event. To create an event, the user creates a lineup510, which is a schedule of one or more events having the same title anddescription. The user can create and modify a distinct description foreach event in a lineup. After creating a lineup, the user schedules adate and time for a new event (not shown). Hence, an event is anindividual event, which is scheduled at a specific date and timedetermined by the end user. The event planner page view 500 alsodisplays a list of lineups 520 that have already been scheduled, and caninclude a repository of recorded content to view, reorganize, modify,share or terminate.

FIG. 6 shows an event page view of a graphical user interface, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. The event page view 600of the graphical user interface 120 includes a plurality of sections, asshown in FIGS. 7A-7G and discussed below in more detail, to facilitatethe viewing and broadcasting of the town hall-type meeting, includingreceiving and responding to live video questions from audience members.The event page view 600 is displayed when an event has begun. When theevent is started, the event is streamed at every event access point onthe Internet (i.e., the event is streamed where the graphical userinterface 120 has been embedded using the embedded player in a thirdparty site or blog, and to users that are logged in directly to thesystem 100 via the web-based application of the platform. When a userjoins the event, the system 100 is configured to assist the user withthe set up the user's video camera and microphone to enhance the user'sexperience. When the user accesses the embedded player, it expands to afull browser mode, overlaying the page it is embedded on without theneed to visibly bounce the user from the page that the player isembedded on (i.e., the user is now “inside” the event without leavingthe webpage the event is embedded on). Through the embedded player, theuser has access to all functionality that the user would have if he hadaccessed the system 100 directly via the web-based application of theplatform (i.e., the user can register to access or log in to the system100 directly through the embedded player).

The event page view 600 of the graphical user interface 120 includes aplurality of sections, which include an informational section 610, abroadcast area 620, an editing area 630, and a modules section 640. Themodules section 640 includes a communication tab 642, a viewers tab 644and a questions tab 646 (not shown).

FIGS. 7A-7F show various sections of the event page view, in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention. For example, FIG. 7A shows theinformation section 610 of the event page view 600. The informationsection 610 can include at least one of a logo 702, a clickable bannerimage 704 (i.e., advertising or marketing materials), information aboutthe event 706 (i.e., title and description), and a section for a privatechat between the host, producer, co-host, screener and/or the editor708.

FIG. 7B shows the broadcast area 620 of the event page view 600. Thebroadcast area 620 can include at least one of an area for displaying avideo stream of one or more users 710, an overlay of information toprovide the host with hints and actions to run their event (not shown),an image selected by the host (i.e., fly files or video files) 712, andan advertisement, both statically and actively displayed before, during,and after the event, displaying information for, for example, the useror the user's sponsor (not shown). The broadcast area 620 can alsoinclude a video commercial break broadcasted, for example every 30minutes, dynamically triggered and provided via a third partyadvertisement engine or company (i.e., YuMe™, Google™, etc.) (notshown). Additionally, before and after the event, the broadcast area 620can include a “preview” screen 714 that displays a user selectedthumbnail, a description of the event and a countdown timer indicatingwhen the host is granted the ability to go live with the event. The“preview” screen 714 may be mirrored on the embedded player.

FIG. 7C shows the editing area 630 of the event page view 600. Theediting area 630 can include at least one of an exit link 716 to exitthe event, a feedback link 718 to provide feedback about the platformand/or the event, a live speaker area 720 that displays the thumbnailsof the users that are broadcasting their video streams live andsimultaneously to the audience members, and a “setup” button 722. Aspreviously discussed for the user-types, the live speaker area 720 isrole sensitive, such that only the host, producer, co-host or editorwill be able to view the “multi-shot” button, and designate which useror users to promote to the status of a “live speaker.” Multiple usersmay broadcast live in real-time. For a host or producer, the livespeaker area 720 can also include “start” and “pause” button forstarting and pausing the event (not shown). For an attendee, editor orscreener, the live speaker area 720 can also include an “Ask a Question”button 724 for asking a question. For a co-host, neither button ispresent in the live speaker area 720. The “setup” button 722 providesthe user with a hardware wizard for setting up or troubleshooting theuser's webcam and microphone.

The modules section 640 includes a communication tab 642, a viewers tab644 and a questions tab 646. FIG. 7D shows the communication tab 642 ofthe event page view 600. The communication tab 642 can include at leastone of a text chat module 726 (i.e., text chat window), where any userattending the event can type a comment for the entire audience to see, asocial media module 728 (i.e., a Twitter™ window), where a host,producer, co-host, screener or editor can search and display live socialmedia content (i.e., live tweets via Twitter™) for the entire audienceto see, or any other module that provides functionality to the viewingor broadcasting of the event.

FIG. 7E shows the viewer's tab 644 of the event page view 600. Theviewers tab 644 displays a list of all the users in the audience, bothusers directly accessing the event through the web-based application andusers or “spectators” viewing the event via the embedded player. Theviewers tab 644 allows users in the audience to search for other usersattending the event 730, and allows the host, producer, co-host, screenand editor to assign roles to users in the audience 732 and to kick andun-kick users from the event not shown.

FIG. 7F shows the questions tab 646 of the event page view 600. Thequestions tab 646 displays a queue of attendees' live video, recordedvideo and text questions. A host, producer and co-host can browse thequeue, read descriptions, view a submitted question, ping an attendee toconfirm that the attendee is ready for the attendee's question to beaired on the event, remove the question from the queue and broadcast thequestion to the audience.

For a text or recorded video question, the host, producer or co-host can“take” the question (i.e., answer the question), and “drop” the textquestion or the call once it has been answered. When the text orrecorded video question is taken, the text of the question or therecorded video is displayed in the broadcast area 620 for the audiencemembers to see. For a live video question, the host, producer or co-hostcan “take” the call live by interacting/dialoguing directly with theuser or “caller” to answer his question in real-time (i.e., a two-wayinteraction/dialogue in real-time, or multiple-way interaction/dialoguefor multiple users).

A screener can view the questions tab 646, like a host, producer orco-host, but rather than broadcasting the question, the screener can“pre-screen”the questions and the “caller” presenting the question, sothat the host, producer or co-host does not have to perform thisfunction, as shown in FIG. 7G. For example, the screener holds a privatediscussion “behind-the-scenes” with the live video “caller” to approvethe “caller,” remove the “caller” from the queue or kick the “caller”from the event. Furthermore, as previously discussed, the screener canprovide annotations about the “caller” and his or her question for thehost, co-host, or producer to review. This allows the host, producer orco-host to “take” those live video questions may be, for example, morerelevant to the event or facilitate the presentation of the event.

FIG. 8 shows a flow diagram of a method, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. The method includes broadcasting aweb-based meeting between a first user and a second user through agraphical user interface (step 810). The method further includesreceiving a request from the first user through the graphical userinterface (step 820). The request can include one of a text question, arecorded video question and a request from the first user to present alive video question to the second user. The method further includesbroadcasting the request through the graphical user interface (step830). When the received request includes the request from the first userto present the live video question, the method includes broadcasting therequest as a real time video feed of the first user, so that the firstuser can ask the question in real time and the second user can respondto the first user's question in real time (step 840).

The method may further include broadcasting, through the graphical userinterface, an individual video feed of the first user, the second userand any other user that joins the web-based meeting, or multiple videofeeds of any combination of users in real time (step 850). The methodmay further include broadcasting, through the graphical user interface,a list of requests from the first user or any other user. The list canbe sorted (step 860).

The method may further include generating an off-line meeting betweenthe first user and one of the other users, so that the one of the otherusers can screen the first user and the video question before thecontroller 110 broadcasts the received request (step 870).

Further to the discussion above, it is to be understood that in anembodiment of the invention, the steps and the like may be changedwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Inaddition, the method described in FIG. 8 may be repeated numerous times.

A computer program code 220 according to certain embodiments of theinvention, may be composed of modules that are in operativecommunication with one another, and which are designed to passinformation or instructions to an electronic device, such as a mobilenode or a user equipment, a personal computer, a handheld device, suchas a mobile, a cellular telephone, or a personal digital assistant (PDA)having wireless communication capabilities, a portable computer havingwireless communication capabilities and a portable unit or a terminalthat incorporates combinations of such functions, as non-limitingexamples.

The computer program code 220 may be configured to operate on a generalpurpose computer or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

The computer readable (i.e., non-transitory) storage medium may includeany media or means that may contain, store, communicate, propagate ortransport the instructions for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device, for example, a diskmedia, computer memory, or other storage device. Non-transitory storagemedium does not include a transitory signal. Examples of non-transitorystorage medium may include, for example, a computer-readable medium, acomputer distribution medium, a computer-readable storage medium, and acomputer program product.

The embodiments of the invention discussed above may be implemented byhardware, computer software executable by one or more of the controller110, the processor 230, or by a combination of hardware and software.

The software and/or hardware may reside on the controller 110, theprocessor 230, or other electronic devices. If desired, part of thesoftware and/or hardware may reside on the controller 110 or theprocessor 230, and part of the software and/or hardware on otherelectronic devices. In an embodiment of the invention, software, or aninstruction set may be maintained on any one of various conventionalcomputer-readable media.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is provided acomputer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer readablestorage medium. The computer program product is encoded withinstructions to control a processor to perform a process. The processincludes broadcasting a web-based meeting between a first user and asecond user through a graphical user interface. The process furtherincludes receiving a request from the first user through the graphicaluser interface. The request can include one of a text question, arecorded video question and a request from the first user to present alive video question to the second user. The process further includesbroadcasting the received request through the graphical user interface.When the received request includes the request from the first user topresent the live video question, the process includes broadcasting therequest as a real time video feed of the first user, so that the firstuser can ask the question in real time and the second user can respondto the first user's question in real time.

One having ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that theinvention as discussed above may be practiced with steps in a differentorder, and/or with hardware elements in configurations which aredifferent than those which are disclosed. Therefore, although theinvention has been described based upon these preferred and non-limitingembodiments, it would be apparent to those of skill in the art thatcertain modifications, variations, and alternative constructions wouldbe apparent, while remaining in the spirit and scope of the invention.Thus, the example embodiments do not limit the invention to theparticular listed devices and technologies. In order to determine themetes and bounds of the invention, therefore, reference should be madeto the appended claims.

1. (canceled)
 2. A video conference system comprising: at least onememory including computer program code; and at least one electronicprocessor; wherein the at least one memory and the computer program codeare configured to, with the at least one electronic processor, cause theapparatus at least to, broadcast a web-based meeting between a pluralityof audience members and a host through a graphical user interface suchthat: the host is displayed to the audience members in a first displayelement of the graphical user interface; a plurality of the audiencemembers are displayed to the audience members in respective seconddisplay elements of the graphical user interface; and the first displayelement is at least the same size as any one of the second displayelements.
 3. The video conference system of claim 2, wherein the videoof the host is displayed in the first display element.
 4. The videoconference system of claim 2, wherein the video of the plurality of theaudience members is displayed in the respective second display elements.5. The video conference system of claim 2, wherein thumbnails of theaudience members that are broadcasting their video streams is displayedin the second display element.
 6. The video conference system of claim2, wherein the first display element and the second display elements arelocated side by side.
 7. A video conference system comprising: at leastone memory including computer program code; and at least one electronicprocessor; wherein the at least one memory and the computer program codeare configured to, with the at least one electronic processor, cause theapparatus at least to: broadcast, through a graphical user interface, aweb-based meeting between a host and a plurality of audience members,wherein the plurality of audience members comprises a requester;receive, through a graphical user interface, a request from therequester to ask a question to the host; store the request in the atleast one memory; retrieve the request from the at least one memory; andconcurrently broadcast, through the graphical user interface, video ofthe requester asking the question and the question in text.
 8. The videoconference system of claim 7, wherein the video of the requester and thequestion in text are side by side.
 9. The video conference system ofclaim 7, wherein the apparatus is further configured to display, throughthe graphical user interface, a thumbnail video of the plurality ofaudience members.
 10. The video conference system of claim 7, whereinthe apparatus is further configured to display, through the graphicaluser interface, a thumbnail video of the requester before broadcastingthe video of the requester.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein thethumbnail video of the requester is visible only to the administrativeusers of the web-based meeting, the administrative users comprising thehost.
 12. A video conference system comprising: at least one memoryincluding computer program code; and at least one electronic processor;wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code areconfigured to, with the at least one electronic processor, cause theapparatus at least to: broadcast, through a graphical user interface, aweb-based meeting between a host and a plurality of audience members,wherein the plurality of audience members comprises a requester;receive, through a graphical user interface, a request from therequester to ask a question to the host; correlate the request with therequester; receive an authorization to broadcast the request;subsequently send a notification, through a graphical user interface, tothe requester to be ready to ask the question by a live video feed; andbroadcast, through the graphical user interface, the live video feed ofthe requester asking the question.
 13. The video conference system ofclaim 12, wherein the apparatus is further caused to receive aconfirmation from the requester that the requester is ready to ask thequestion.
 14. The video conference system of claim 12, wherein theauthorization comprises a command from the host.
 15. The videoconference system of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is further causedto hold a private screening session between the requester and a screenerbefore the live video feed of the requester asking the question isbroadcast.
 16. The video conference system of claim 12, wherein therequest is received by the processor and stored in the memory, andwherein the processor retrieves the request in respond to a command fromthe host or a producer.
 17. A video conference system comprising: atleast one memory including computer program code; and at least oneelectronic processor; wherein the at least one memory and the computerprogram code are configured to, with the at least one electronicprocessor, cause the apparatus at least to: broadcast, through agraphical user interface, a web-based meeting between a host and aplurality of audience members, wherein the plurality of audience memberscomprises a requester; receive, through a graphical user interface, arequest from the requester to ask a question to the host; prerecord avideo of the requester asking the question; generate an off-linescreening session that enables an administrator to view the prerecordedvideo of the requester; receive an approval notification from theadministrator indicating that the prerecorded video of the requester isapproved; and subsequently broadcast, through the graphical userinterface, the prerecorded and approved video of the requester.
 18. Thevideo conference system of claim 17, wherein the administrator comprisesa producer.
 19. The video conference system of claim 17, wherein theoff-line screening session includes the administrator and the requester.20. A video conference system comprising: at least one memory includingcomputer program code; and at least one electronic processor; whereinthe at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to,with the at least one electronic processor, cause the apparatus at leastto: broadcast, through a graphical user interface, a web-based meetingbetween a plurality of users, the plurality of users comprising a hostand a plurality of audience members; and provide, in the graphical userinterface, a multi-shot button that is selectable by the host; receive acommand indicating the multi-shot button has been selected; and inresponse to the command, change from a first display mode to a seconddisplay mode; wherein, in the first display mode, a main window of thegraphical user interface displays live video of only the host; wherein,in the second display mode, the main window of the graphical userinterface displays live video of a selected plurality of the users. 21.The video conference system of claim 20, wherein the at least one memoryand the computer program code are further configured to, with the atleast one electronic processor, cause the apparatus to receive aselection indication, the selection indication indicating which of theplurality of the users are in the selected plurality of the users.